SAFETY ESCAPE PLAN
Deciding To Leave
Here are some helpful tips for preparing a planned exit; REMEMBER you cannot control your abuser and you are not responsible for ending the violence but you can be aware of safety options that may assist you in the future:
- Decide and plan where you will go if you have to leave home (even if you do not think you will need to). This should be a safe place from which you can call for further assistance.
- Determine who would be able to let you stay with them or lend you some money.
- Have a packed bag ready and keep it in a secret place that is easy to reach. Leave money, an extra set of keys, extra clothes and, if you can, copies of important documents with someone you trust.
- Open a savings account in your own name to start to establish or increase your independence.
- Keep the crisis line phone number close at hand or, better yet, memorize it. Keep some change or a calling card on you at all times for emergency phone calls.
- Look for a safe computer at work, the library or a friend’s house where your Internet history can’t be viewed.
- Use a code word or signal with family or friends when you need the police.
- Review your safety plan as often as possible in order to plan the safest way to leave your abuser.
Important Documents to Have
- All bank account numbers, credit union and 401(k) information
- Extra key for the safe deposit box and info
- Copies of car titles and past 3 years’ income tax returns
- Deeds to joint or individual property
- Copies of outstanding loans, amount of monthly payments
- Joint and individual credit cards with balances. Get your name removed from joint cards if possible
- Pay stubs for at least 2 months
- Copies of your and the abuser’s signature cards at the bank, CDs and bonds
- Copy of any Personal Protection Order (PPO)
- Copies of all insurance policies, wills, trust fund or pension fund information
- Abuser’s Social Security number, driver’s license number, work address and number; addresses and numbers of friends; criminal history; license plate number and recent pictures
- Unless an attorney advises you not to, if you leave, take all personal assets and half of all joint assets (for example, bonds, checking account, credit card)
